Molecular switches and advanced molecular motors, which are the elementary building blocks for the construction of molecular machines, have been recently integrated into soft materials in order to generate macroscopic actuation under various types of external stimulations. However, to produce a continuous work from these materials, and therefore to potentially achieve more advanced tasks, important structural and dynamic aspects should be considered at all length scales. Here we discuss the implementation of thermodynamic, photodynamic, and dissipative molecular switches and motors in such stimuli-responsive materials. We also highlight the different ratcheting strategies that can be implemented in these actuators to confer them with the capacity of achieving unidirectional cyclic motion, and in order to continuously and autonomously increase their work output.